Football News

Serie A Faces Season of Reckoning After European Setbacks and Managerial Shuffle

Italian football enters the new season searching for answers after a torrid run on the continental stage. Bosnia and Herzegovina's qualification exploits meant the Azzurri missed a third consecutive World Cup, while Bodo/Glimt's stunning elimination of Inter from the Champions League underlined just how far Serie A has fallen from Europe's top table. Reigning champions Napoli finished a lowly 30th in the Champions League table, and Atalanta, Italy's only representative in the last 16, were thrashed 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich.

Despite the gloom, domestic drama is guaranteed. Two of Italy's most storied clubs, AC Milan and Juventus, collapsed from strong positions last term to miss out on Champions League football, instead being overtaken by Cesc Fabregas's surprise package Como and relegated to Europa League duty. Inter, by contrast, cantered to a 21st Scudetto under new boss Cristian Chivu in his debut campaign, matching predecessor Simone Inzaghi's title haul even as their European form disappointed.

This season's title race looks set to feature familiar faces in new roles alongside one intriguing outsider. Milan have handed the reins to Ruben Amorim, whose difficult tenure at Manchester United makes his San Siro switch a chance at redemption rather than an obvious reward. Amorim is expected to deploy his trademark 3-4-3 system, though how the veteran Luka Modric fits into a central midfield pairing remains uncertain. Milan backed their new coach with a club-record €74m purchase of Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain, a move that should finally free wingers Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic from makeshift striking duties.

Across town, Juventus have reunited with Randal Kolo Muani, signed for a potential €50m, tasking him with leading an attack that also features Kenan Yildiz and new arrival Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for €32m. Manager Luciano Spalletti, who inherited a struggling squad after Igor Tudor's sacking, is remodeling his forward options as Dusan Vlahovic departs following a disappointing spell.

Inter head into the campaign as strong favourites, retaining last season's top scorer Lautaro Martinez and assist leader Federico Dimarco while continuing to refresh an ageing squad. Four experienced players—Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, Yann Sommer and Stefan de Vrij—have departed, with Denzel Dumfries's move to Real Madrid seen as a particularly notable loss. Djed Spence arrives as his replacement at wing-back, while the signing of John Stones reunites him with Manuel Akanji in a defence suited to Chivu's 3-5-2 setup.

Como, under Fabregas, have retained prized playmaker Nico Paz despite Real Madrid holding a buy-back option, and will now balance European football with domestic ambitions. Roma also secured Champions League qualification and have strengthened further under Gian Piero Gasperini, who saw off a power struggle with Claudio Ranieri, adding Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35m and Portuguese talent Rodrigo Mora.

Napoli, meanwhile, finalized the signing of Rasmus Hojlund after a successful loan spell, though new manager Massimiliano Allegri inherits much of the spending committed by predecessor Antonio Conte. Romelu Lukaku has left for Fenerbahce, leaving Allegri to work with holdovers like Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne as he chases a seventh Scudetto.

The managerial carousel continues elsewhere, with Maurizio Sarri taking charge at Atalanta, Ivan Juric moving to promoted Monza, and 2006 World Cup winners Gennaro Gattuso and Fabio Grosso landing at Lazio and Fiorentina respectively. With seven different clubs having finished in the top four across the last three seasons, competition beyond the Scudetto race promises to be fierce—even if Inter's status as favourites suggests the battle for fourth could prove more competitive than the title chase itself.

Based on reporting from The Independent.

Transfer Deadline Frenzy: Arsenal Close In On Triple Deal, Alvarez Boost, Baleba Nears United Move

With the September 1 transfer deadline fast approaching, Premier League clubs are scrambling to complete a flurry of deals, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all involved in significant business.

Arsenal appear to be making the most decisive moves. Ezri Konsa is set to complete a switch from Aston Villa worth at least £51million, undergoing a medical in north London on Thursday before signing a long-term contract. The versatile England defender would become Mikel Arteta's fifth signing of the summer, following Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes.

The Gunners are also reportedly closing in on a shock double raid on rivals Manchester United, targeting 19-year-old Gibraltar international midfielder James Scanlon and 20-year-old right-back Habeeb Ogunneye. Both young talents are said to be close to finalising moves to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have also received a boost in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez. The Argentine striker, who was left out of Atletico Madrid's squad for their LaLiga opener against Malaga while working on his fitness following the World Cup break, was subjected to insulting chants from a section of home supporters despite not playing. More significantly for Arsenal, Barcelona are reported to have abandoned their pursuit of Alvarez and are now exploring alternative striker options following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Barcelona had previously seen a €100million bid rejected by Atletico for the player, who was said to be keen on a move to Camp Nou. Arsenal remain interested in other attacking options too, including Kenan Yildiz and Victor Osimhen, alongside defensive targets Jarell Quansah and Jack Hinshelwood.

At Manchester United, Carlos Baleba is set to undergo a medical as the Red Devils close in on a deal worth more than £60million with Brighton. The Cameroon midfielder, long a target for United, is expected to sign a five-year contract but will likely miss the opening weeks of the season due to an ankle ligament injury. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford appears set to remain at Old Trafford after returning from loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, having recently engaged with social media discussion about his future. United's move for Ederson from Atalanta collapsed after the Brazilian midfielder reportedly failed a medical, with the club's doctors said to have concerns over his fitness. Ederson has since signed a new contract at Atalanta.

Chelsea have completed the signing of Alfie Osborne and are bracing for interest from Manchester City in Enzo Fernandez. The Blues have also been offered the chance to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao as a potential alternative to Pedro Neto, who is drawing strong interest from Al Hilal.

Liverpool continue to pursue Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG, while Curtis Jones is expected to join Inter Milan and Ifeanyi Ndukwe is set for a loan move away from Anfield.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are working on an ambitious double deal for Manchester City pair Savinho and Omar Marmoush. Spurs have been chasing Savinho throughout the summer, with the Brazilian winger keen to leave the Etihad Stadium for more regular football. Tottenham are also targeting Cody Gakpo, though they are reportedly waiting to see whether Liverpool complete a deal for Barcola or Mbaye first. Should the Gakpo move fall through, Spurs could turn their attention to Chelsea's Pedro Neto instead. Manchester City, for their part, are said to want Manu Kone as they finalize a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Based on reporting from Standard Sport (standard-football).

Circati Completes Big-Money Move to Benfica in Latest Socceroos Transfer Wave

Australian defender Alessandro Circati has sealed a switch from Parma to Benfica in a deal reported at 20 million euros ($33m), becoming the latest Socceroo to secure a lucrative move to European football. The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Portuguese club, tying him to the Lisbon giants through to 2031.

Circati described the transfer as a career highlight, addressing Benfica's supporters directly in a message posted on the club's official website. "To all the Benfiquistas, yeah, I can't wait to play in front of you all, and win as many titles as we can. It's a huge honour. It's a privilege. I'm over the moon, couldn't be happier," he said. He added that the move represented recognition of years of dedication, stating, "I think it's a reward for many years of hard work. I'm so happy to be here, and I can't wait to play for Benfica."

The centre-back, who was born in Italy but represents Australia internationally, also spoke about the prospect of playing at Benfica's iconic Estadio da Luz, commonly known as the Stadium of Light. "I can't wait. I've just had a look at it now. It's amazing, and I'm very, very excited to play," Circati remarked.

Asked how quickly he expected to settle into life at his new club, Circati expressed confidence in his versatility and ability to integrate. "I think I'm very adaptable. I think you can play me in either role of the centre-back, in a back-four or a back-three," he explained. "I'm sure it's going to take a bit of time to adapt, but I'll try and make it as fast as possible with the help of my teammates and staff. But I'm sure I'll fit in just fine."

Circati's footballing journey began at Perth Glory before he moved to Europe to join Parma following a successful trial in 2021, connecting with his Italian heritage. He went on to enjoy a productive spell in Italy, making 96 total appearances for the club, including 37 in Serie A, and scoring twice. He played a significant role in Parma's Serie B title-winning campaign in the 2023/24 season and helped the club maintain its top-flight status in the two seasons that followed, with Parma finishing 12th in Serie A last term.

In a farewell statement, Parma expressed gratitude for Circati's contributions. "President Kyle J Krause, CEO Federico Cherubini and the entire Parma Calcio family would like to sincerely thank Alessandro and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career," the club said.

Circati has also established himself as a regular for the Socceroos, earning 17 international caps and scoring one goal. He featured in all four of Australia's matches at the World Cup, underlining his growing importance to the national team setup.

His transfer to Benfica arrives amid a broader trend of Australian internationals making moves to prominent clubs across Europe and beyond. Nestory Irankunda recently joined Benfica's fierce domestic rival Sporting from Watford, while Lucas Herrington moved from Major League Soccer outfit Colorado Rapids to Hull City, making him the sole Australian currently playing in the Premier League. Elsewhere, Nishan Velupillay completed a switch from Melbourne Victory to German third-tier side FC Ingolstadt 04, and speculation continues to link Norwich forward Mohamed Touré with interest from major European clubs.

With his move now finalized, Circati will look to make a swift impact as Benfica continues its pursuit of domestic and continental honours.

Based on reporting from The Guardian.

Test Your Premier League Knowledge: Who Am I? No. 31

BBC Sport continues its popular daily football quiz series with the latest edition of

Looking Back: The Premier League's Greatest Opening-Day Debuts

As football fans eagerly anticipate the opening weekend of a new Premier League campaign, it is worth casting an eye back to some of the most memorable individual debuts the competition has produced on its very first day. History shows that the opening round of fixtures has, on more than one occasion, served as the perfect stage for a new signing to announce themselves in spectacular fashion.

Few debuts have gone down in Premier League folklore quite like Alan Shearer's introduction for Blackburn Rovers. Arriving with a hefty reputation, Shearer wasted no time in demonstrating exactly why he had been brought to Ewood Park, delivering a performance that immediately marked him out as one of the division's most lethal forwards. His impact from the very first whistle set the tone for what would become a prolific spell in English football, and his opening-day showing remains one of the standout individual displays in the competition's history.

More recently, Swansea City fans were treated to an equally eye-catching arrival when Michu turned up at the Liberty Stadium having arrived from Spanish football with relatively little fanfare. That changed almost instantly, as the attacking midfielder produced a display filled with well-taken finishes that immediately endeared him to the Swansea supporters. His debut goals were the kind that suggested a player who had settled into his new surroundings without any hesitation, and they served as an early indication of the impact he would go on to have during his time in South Wales.

Such performances highlight a recurring theme within the Premier League: the opening weekend often provides fresh faces with an opportunity to make an instant statement, whether that be a marquee signing living up to expectations or a lesser-known arrival taking the division by surprise. For clubs and supporters alike, these moments can set the emotional tone for the season ahead, offering hope that a new addition to the squad might prove to be a shrewd or even inspired piece of business.

Both Shearer and Michu's stories, though separated by years and circumstance, illustrate how quickly a player can capture the imagination of a fanbase. Shearer's emergence as one of the most feared strikers of his generation began with that early statement of intent, while Michu's rapid rise, sparked by his blistering start, saw him become one of the more surprising success stories of his Premier League era.

As another season prepares to get under way, followers of the English top flight will no doubt be watching closely to see whether any of this year's new arrivals can produce a similarly memorable bow. The history of opening-day heroics serves as a reminder that first impressions in the Premier League can carry lasting significance, shaping not only a player's early reputation but also the broader narrative of a club's campaign.

While such instant impact cannot be guaranteed, the examples set by players such as Shearer and Michu continue to serve as a benchmark for what is possible when a new face hits the ground running on the opening weekend of English football's most-watched competition.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport.

BBC Pundits Back Arsenal to Retain Premier League Crown as Predictions Point to Wide-Open Top Four

With just under two weeks remaining before the summer transfer window closes, BBC Sport has canvassed 26 television and radio pundits, alongside artificial intelligence and Opta's predictive model, to forecast how the 2026-27 Premier League season will unfold. The overwhelming consensus points to Arsenal successfully defending the title they won last season after a 22-year wait, ending seven points clear of Manchester City. Of the 28 total predictions, 25 tip Mikel Arteta's side to finish top again, with none predicting them lower than second.

The backing for Arsenal stems largely from continuity. Arteta remains in charge, and the core of last season's 85-point title-winning squad is intact, strengthened further by the signing of Bruno Guimaraes to join a midfield already featuring Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi. Former players turned pundits Theo Walcott, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Danny Murphy all pointed to the club's stability compared to rivals undergoing managerial or squad transitions. Leon Osman went further, suggesting Arsenal look poised to challenge for multiple titles over the coming years, drawing comparisons to great domestic dynasties.

Not everyone is fully convinced, however. Shay Given warned Arsenal could still fall short without adding a top-class striker before the deadline, while Paul Robinson suggested the arrival of Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray, potentially alongside Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, could be decisive.

Manchester City, champions six times during Pep Guardiola's tenure, are no longer the pundits' automatic pick, with only three of 26 respondents backing City to reclaim the title under new manager Enzo Maresca. The departures of Rodri, John Stones and Bernardo Silva have raised questions about leadership and defensive solidity, even as pundits like Danny Murphy and Matt Upson pointed to City's enduring firepower and squad depth as reasons they will remain in contention. Troy Deeney was notably skeptical of Maresca's tactical approach, while Shay Given believes a fresh voice could reinvigorate hungry players.

Liverpool, under new boss Andoni Iraola, generated the most divided opinion. Only four of 28 pundits see them finishing above third, a stark contrast to last season when 22 of 35 tipped them for the title. Concerns center on squad depth and defensive balance, though several pundits, including Rachel Brown-Finnis and Paul Robinson, expressed excitement about Iraola's attacking philosophy and the development of Florian Wirtz.

Chelsea, who finished 10th last season despite featuring in every top-four prediction at the time, have rebounded significantly in pundits' estimations, appearing in 21 of 28 forecasts under new manager Xabi Alonso. The signings of experienced figures like Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, combined with the absence of European football, were cited by Tony Pulis and Chris Waddle as key factors that could allow young talents such as Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers to flourish.

Manchester United, who finished third last season, appear in 14 of 28 predictions under new boss Michael Carrick, with pundits noting an improved atmosphere at Old Trafford despite lingering concerns about squad depth and the futures of players like Marcus Rashford.

Beyond the established contenders, several pundits flagged potential surprise packages. Nedum Onuoha tipped Leeds and Sunderland to outperform expectations, while Troy Deeney and Danny Murphy highlighted Nottingham Forest and Ipswich, respectively, as sides capable of exceeding low expectations this season.

Opta's statistical model, generated through 10,000 simulations, arrived at the same top-four conclusion as the artificial intelligence prediction and three of the human pundits, reinforcing Arsenal's status as favourites heading into the new campaign.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport.

Newcastle Enter New Era Under Jaissle Amid Squad Overhaul

Newcastle United are bracing for a season of transition as they begin life without Eddie Howe, who stepped down after nearly five years in charge, handing the reins to German coach Matthias Jaissle. The 38-year-old arrives with a strong reputation from spells at RB Salzburg and Al-Ahli, where he claimed two Asian Champions League titles, but he has no prior experience in English football.

Jaissle inherits a club reshaped dramatically over the summer. After a disappointing 12th-place finish last season, Newcastle sold three of their standout performers — Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, Sandro Tonali to Tottenham, and Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal. The departures, along with that of Kieran Trippier, have stripped the squad of its four leading chance creators, leaving a significant creative void heading into the new campaign.

The overhaul is part of a broader strategy driven by sporting director Ross Wilson, who has focused recruitment on younger players, typically under 25 and priced between £20m and £40m. Four of the club's first five signings this summer were aged 20 or under, reflecting what chief executive David Hopkinson has repeatedly called "Newcastle 2.0." Hopkinson described the current period as one of significant transformation, saying: "This is a moment of change. Life is all about change but there are certain moments of punctuation and we are in one of those now."

The restructuring comes against a backdrop of financial constraints. Despite majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, regarded as the richest ownership group in world football, Newcastle's commercial revenue lags well behind several rivals, complicating compliance with football's financial regulations. The club is currently operating under a three-year settlement agreement with Uefa following breaches of European cost control rules. Hopkinson acknowledged the need for fiscal discipline, stating: "We were living beyond our means but at some point you have got to pay the credit card bill."

On the pitch, expectations have been tempered considerably. There is no talk of European qualification this season, with a top-10 finish now viewed internally as a successful outcome. Jaissle has described the campaign as a "transitional" one, and much may depend on whether he can unlock the potential of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, both of whom struggled to deliver consistently under Howe. Wissa's strong pre-season form has offered some encouragement, while new arrivals Bazoumana Touré, Aladji Bamba, and Sean Steur have also shown promise in early appearances.

Among the summer's most notable additions is goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, a 24-year-old Czech international signed from Braga for £26m. Known for his composure with the ball at his feet — a skill honed from years spent alternating between goalkeeping and playing as a striker in his youth — Hornicek has drawn comparisons to Petr Cech after impressing at the 2025 European Under-21 Championships.

At academy level, Mason Miley, younger brother of midfielder Lewis Miley, has emerged as a player to watch after catching the eye during pre-season, including a narrow defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. Jaissle praised the teenager's mentality, saying: "Mason's a young lad with the attitude we need; he has the right heart and the right quality."

International duty has also shaped the squad's summer. Right-back Tino Livramento was named in England's World Cup squad but suffered a calf injury in training and underwent minor surgery, with a return expected in early autumn. Left-back Lewis Hall, meanwhile, missed out on Thomas Tuchel's squad despite sustained interest from Manchester United throughout the window.

As the identity of the new-look Newcastle takes shape both on and off the pitch, questions remain over the club's long-term infrastructure plans, with decisions on a new training ground and the future of St James' Park still pending. Relations between supporters and the Saudi-led ownership also remain a point of contention, with fans continuing to voice frustration over the lack of direct engagement from PIF officials.

Based on reporting from Guardian Football.

Duran Double Fires Celtic to Brink of Champions League Return

Celtic took a commanding 3-0 lead over LASK in their Champions League play-off first leg at a raucous Celtic Park, with Camilo Duran's brace and a stunning team goal putting them firmly in control of the tie.

The Colombian forward, signed for a fee reported to be between £4.5m and £6m, opened his account with a fine volley after relentless pressure on the LASK defence before adding a second in the 72nd minute that capped off a mesmerising 30-second passing move. That third goal began with goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, travelled through Colby Donovan and Auston Trusty in defence, and was worked through midfield via a slick one-two between Benjamin Nygren and Duran before the Colombian finished emphatically into the top corner.

Swedish forward Nygren, who set the tone for the win with an earlier goal, continued his impressive scoring form, netting his fourth of the season to go with three assists, following on from 21 goals and 10 assists last term. Captain Callum McGregor was singled out for his role in driving Celtic forward throughout, while teenage right-back Donovan impressed on his side of the pitch, drawing praise from opposition boss Martin O'Neill for his "big, big heart" and "boundless enthusiasm."

Despite the scoreline, LASK were far from passive visitors. The Austrian champions and cup winners created numerous chances of their own, a reminder that O'Neill's side, who will host the second leg, are unlikely to surrender the tie without a fight. O'Neill struck a cautious tone afterward, insisting the tie was far from over while also acknowledging his side's positive account in the transfer market this season, saying, "We're on the plus-side in terms of money."

That comment reflects Celtic's approach to squad building this season, having brought in Duran along with Kasper Hogh, who arrived for around £11m and provided a physical presence up front even without finding the net on the night. The Scottish champions have spent close to £30m in total, but the outlay has largely been offset by sales, including Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda, meaning Celtic's business has left them in an overall net profit.

Wednesday's performance marked a striking contrast to Celtic's Champions League fortunes 12 months prior, when they were eliminated by Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty following a penalty shootout in which Celtic missed three of their five spot-kicks after 210 goalless minutes across two legs and extra time. That exit, under then-manager Brendan Rodgers, prompted criticism of both the playing squad and the club's transfer strategy at boardroom level.

This time, Celtic's attacking talent and squad depth appear to be paying dividends, with the club now on course to secure a place among Europe's elite once more, along with the financial rewards that come with it — reportedly around £40m should they see out the tie against LASK.

With Champions League qualification now firmly in sight, attention is turning to how ambitious Celtic will be if the financial windfall materializes. Areas identified for potential reinforcement include goalkeeping depth, cover at left-back and centre-back, and additions in central midfield, both defensively and in a more creative role. Domestically, Celtic's resources are already considered more than sufficient to challenge for domestic honours, but it is on the European stage where the Scottish champions are expected to prove their growing ambitions.

For now, though, Celtic supporters can savor a rare and emphatic European night, one that has quickly shifted the mood around the club from recent frustration to renewed optimism as they stand on the verge of a much-anticipated Champions League return.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport.

Report Finds Social Media Algorithms Amplified Racist Abuse of England Players During World Cup

A new study has found that racist abuse directed at England footballers during the 2026 World Cup was intensified by social media algorithms built to maximise user engagement and advertising revenue.

The research, carried out by anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate, examined more than 300,000 posts on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, during the tournament. Investigators identified over 5,500 posts that contained explicit racist abuse aimed at England players.

According to the group, the scale of the abuse was not simply a matter of individual users posting hateful content, but was made worse by the platform's recommendation system. Because posts that provoke strong emotional reactions such as anger tend to keep users engaged for longer, Hope Not Hate argues that X's algorithm actively pushed this material into the feeds of a much wider audience than would otherwise have seen it.

Patrik Hermansson, a senior researcher at Hope Not Hate, said the platform has a financial incentive tied to this dynamic. "X is actually benefiting from this hate," he told BBC Sport. "It drives engagement on its platform and it effectively uses its algorithm to elevate and show it to more of its users."

Hermansson stressed that the abusive posts were not confined to obscure corners of the internet but were being surfaced prominently. "They show up in the recommendation feed - they are not obscure corners of this website, they are front and centre," he said, adding that this was a decision the platform did not have to make. "That's a choice it doesn't have to make and yet it does."

X has been contacted by BBC Sport for a response to the findings but has not yet commented.

The report also criticised the broader approach currently used to combat online racism, saying too much emphasis is placed on reactive measures rather than prevention. Tools such as blocking abusive accounts, reporting offensive messages, and platform suspensions do not, in Hermansson's view, tackle the underlying issue of how such content is amplified in the first place.

"X doesn't take racism seriously enough," Hermansson said. "We've seen it for a number of years now. There is no change or improvement."

He argued that platforms already possess the technical capability to adjust their algorithms during periods when abuse is likely to spike, such as major tournaments. Hermansson pointed out that the abuse tends to originate from a relatively small number of accounts before spreading widely through replies and shares. "It's actually a relatively small number of accounts and originating tweets that then get tons of replies," he said. "I think it's entirely feasible to stop this, or a vast amount of it."

One proposed solution from Hope Not Hate is for platforms to downrank posts that attract large volumes of abusive replies, reducing how often such content is recommended to other users.

Ahead of the new Premier League season, the organisation called on Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, to make fuller use of its existing powers under the Online Safety Act. Specifically, Hope Not Hate wants the regulator to ban algorithms that fuel the spread of abusive content and to formally classify major sporting events as "high risk" periods. Such a designation would require platforms to adopt stricter safety measures, proactively remove abusive material, and rapidly downrank content that is escalating into viral hate.

Responding to the report, Ofcom said it was continuing to press technology companies on safety standards. "We're pushing tech firms hard to make their services safer, and we'll be holding them to account if they don't," the regulator said in a statement to BBC Sport. Ofcom also referenced a partnership it formed with police forces and footballing organisations ahead of the World Cup aimed at addressing online abuse.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport.

Ederson Opens Up on Failed Manchester United Move, Signs New Atalanta Deal

Brazilian midfielder Ederson has spoken publicly for the first time about the collapse of his proposed £35million transfer to Manchester United, admitting he remains unsure exactly why the deal fell through despite reports of an agreement being reached with Atalanta.

The 27-year-old had appeared destined to become the first summer signing under Michael Carrick in his role as permanent manager at Old Trafford, with United having struck terms with Atalanta back in June. However, the move ultimately unraveled after Ederson reportedly failed his medical examination, with United's medical staff said to have raised concerns regarding his fitness levels.

The transfer saga dragged on for months, with expectations growing that the switch would be finalized once the World Cup concluded. Ederson had been named in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the tournament held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, featuring in a limited capacity as the Selecao advanced to the round of 16 before being eliminated 2-1 by Erling Haaland's Norway.

With the international tournament behind him and no resolution on his club future, Ederson has now put the transfer talk to rest by signing a new contract with Atalanta ahead of the upcoming Serie A campaign. His previous deal had just one year remaining, which had allowed United to negotiate a discounted fee for his signature.

Speaking to reporters, Ederson addressed the confusion surrounding the collapsed deal directly. "I honestly don't know what happened. I always had interest from other clubs, and I could've gone to another English side," he said. "The tests went well, I don't know what changed."

The midfielder reflected on his time in Bergamo, emphasizing the strong relationship he has built with the club over four years. "I've been with Atalanta for four years and always played," he continued. "I could've just waited to see what happened, but the great rapport with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract."

Ederson went on to express gratitude toward the Serie A club and its leadership. "I am very happy to remain with Atalanta, I really thank the club and [club CEO] Luca Percassi," he added.

The failed transfer leaves United needing to look elsewhere to strengthen their midfield options this summer. The club has already moved to address the position, completing deals for Chelsea's Andrey Santos in a £48million transfer and Youri Tielemans for £35million, as Carrick continues to reshape his squad following his appointment.

For Ederson, the resolution brings closure to a transfer saga that had lingered throughout the summer months and threatened to overshadow his preparations for both club and international commitments. Having committed his future to Atalanta, he now turns his attention to the new Serie A season, where he will continue to be a key figure for the Bergamo-based club.

The collapsed move represents a significant setback for United's recruitment plans, though the club's swift pivot to alternative targets suggests they were prepared for such an eventuality. Whether concerns over Ederson's fitness prove to be a lasting issue remains to be seen, but for now, both player and club appear satisfied with the outcome that keeps him in Bergamo colors.

Based on reporting from Standard Football.